CSOS are Hockey Masters champions

In an entertaining 3-2 masters encounter between the Combermere School Old Scholars and the All Stars, the Waterford masters team were first out of the blocks. It was in the third minute when CSOS’ midfielder Paul Reid absolutely hammered a shot from the right side leaving All Stars’ custodian Hilroy Stoute no chance as it shook the nets giving CSOS the early lead to the delight of the Waterford fans. Their elation was short-lived, as just two minutes later, regular goalkeeper-turned-forward Andre Boyce, had the last touch from a blazing cross to best CSOS’ goalkeeper Dr. Kristina Hinds in the 5th to level the scores at 1-1.

Following-up Boyce, All Stars’ Shawn Foster made the most of his opportunity seven minutes later, finishing a cheeky screened pass from Boyce, and finding the goal in the 12th on the expiration of the first quarter, giving the All Stars the 2-1 lead going into the 2nd quarter. CSOS pressed hard to find the equaliser and find it they did, when CSOS’ Anthony Trotman dragged the ball beyond the reach of a diving Stoute, and with a falling shot and follow-up dramatic roll, scored in the 18th to restore the level scoreline at 2-2 with 30 minutes of regular time remaining. Both sides searched diligently for the win, with the tempo in the final quarter reaching Division 1 pace.

All Stars arguably had the lion’s share of chances, earning multiple penalty corner opportunities in the closing minutes, but failing to convert any. With just two minutes remaining, CSOS capitalised on a blundered All Stars penalty corner and hit the Stars defence fast on the counter, working the ball quickly upfield and into the Stars ‘D’, where veteran former national forward Peter Harris received the last pass, gave himself some elbow room and pounded his shot into goal beating Stoute on the proverbial buzzer and giving CSOS the win and the 2020 BHF Open Masters Knockout title.

The All Stars had a chance to celebrate as their men’s team made it to the final.

All Stars and CSOS met for the second time over the weekend, this time to contest the second Men’s Semi-Final of the BHF 2020 Men’s Knockout Cup. With CSOS fresh from their Masters title on the previous day, saw the men’s team looked composed and confident in the opening exchanges, with the tempo in their favour. After a goalless first quarter, it would be CSOS’ young forward Temar Lewis that broke the deadlock and scored in the 28th, after making an excellent pick off of the Stars defence along the goal line and slipping the ball home past Stars’ custodian Dario Greenidge. C.S.O.S. held their 1-0 lead all the way into the 4th quarter and looked in a comfortable position to take the match and advance, until the Stars caught the C.S.O.S. defence napping and scored a whopping three goals in five minutes, led by Akobi Aymes who ended with a brace. Aymes got the first tap-in in the 55th minute, getting the best of the C.S.O.S. defence and the C.S.O.S. goalkeeper Clint Small to level the scores at 1-1.

A second C.S.O.S. blunder gave Stars’ national forward Mario Moore his goal in the 59th, giving the Stars the 2-1 lead with only a minute to go. C.S.O.S. had one final chance to level when they earned a penalty corner with mere seconds to go, and they committed all hands to the effort. This proved unwise, as the Stars were able to shut out the penalty corner attempt and counter to an undefended goal, giving Aymes his second goal of the match as the final whistle sounded and All Stars the 3-1 comeback win. The win knocked out C.S.O.S. and will see the All Stars advance to the 2020 BHF Men’s Knockout final against Deacons.    

The Women’s and Men’s finals will be played on Saturday, November 7, at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. respectively at the Wildey Hockey Turf.

Contesting the Women’s final will be CSOS and UWI Blackbirds.